“Jack of All Trades” Mage Build

I’ve been wanting to try a build that doesn’t require any specializations for the mage class, and this was the result. This build takes spells in every mage tree (Spirit, Storm, Inferno, and Winter) with the aim of having access to a lot of different tools.

You have some CC, some mobility, some support, access to different elements to help against enemies that are strong/weak against particular schools, and most of all HIGH DAMAGE!

Although this build may not be as strong in specific areas (like AOE damage) as a build with a specialization, it has a LOT more versatility. For example, a Rift Mage may struggle on a boss fight because his specialization spells are relatively useless against bosses, but that wouldn’t be a problem for this build because it provides a great array of single-target DPS skills.

Furthermore, this build can also support very effectively in addition to dealing damage, so you don’t need a separate mage for supporting.

Key Skill interactions:

Barrier with the Rejuvenating Barrier passive gives you 35% more mana regeneration – very important for this build because it is so mana-intensive

Static Cage works VERY well together with Fire Mine and Energy Barrage – this will be your main damage rotation

Chaotic Focus + Barrier to power up your Fire Mine to do more damage

Basic Gameplay:

Before engaging in combat, always put barrier up first, so that you get both the mana regen bonus, and the Chaotic Focus bonus

Put down Static Cage on the area where enemies are most clumped up – the more enemies you get inside the cage, the better

Follow up with fire mine inside the static cage, and then with Energy Barrage – this will also trigger the Lightning Cage passive, dealing even more damage

Immolate is used mostly as filler when your Static cage, Fire mine, and Energy barrage are on cooldown

Use Fade Step for mobility – e.g. get out of a dangerous position, or aggressively to get close to enemies

Use Barrier throughout fights to negate damage and help mana regeneration

For your 8th skill slot, you can either use Dispel (great for tons of things like dispelling Rifts and barriers) or Mark of the Rift

Static Cage + Fire Mine – crowd controlling 3 targets at the same time and setting up a high damage combo.

As a final note, because this build requires so much mana, I would recommend that you craft an armor or weapon with a masterwork that reduces the mana cost of your skills.

Masterworks like Fade-Touched Plush Fustian Velvet (reduces ability cost by 10%) and Fade-Touched Royal Sea Silk (Abilities cost 20% less mana/stamina if not being hit for 5 seconds) are great choices so you have more mana to cast more often. Check out the full list of Masterworks here.